Lucca:
Stefani da Benedetto

Directions: Approximately 3 miles south of the Lucca town walls on SS12.

This restaurant was recommended to me by my friend Dawn, who has dined here several times with her husband Francesco.

My cousin Reenie and I started with an excellent appetizer of polenta with mushrooms. The polenta was cut into squares with the sauteed mushrooms on top. It was fabulous! We also had the caprese, which was a very large serving. The buffalo mozzarella was absolutely fresh and soft. I ordered the mixed meat grill (very good sausage) and Reenie ordered deep fried breaded rabbit. We ordered a bottle of Pinot Grigio/Chardonnay wine. For dessert we had the Vin Santo with Cantucci. Excellent meal! Equivalent of $62.